Music teachers who need to make percussion loops for electronic or computer-based music will find this free online "sound machine" an interesting approach. Novices will likely find the interface confusing, but those who know what they want can quickly create percussion loops using a variety of instrument sounds.

We were truly impressed with this little site offering Java-based music theory tutorials. The exercises are "for real" allowing students to practice note recognition, speed reading, scale building, etc., and the java coding really works! The sound reinforcement and adjustable design of the exercises enables students to use these independently for both elementary and more advanced practice. This one's a real find for those teaching theory and harmony.

Music, history, and social studies teachers may enjoy using this one. It's a collection of song recordings from the roughly 1900-1935. The titles are available several different ways, including a streaming "radio station" that plays the songs continuously. Add a little atmosphere to your Roaring Twenties unit with this one.

In the Classroom

Play the music over classroom speakers to display for students what the music of the 20's was really like. This would also be a cute way to teach the Harlem Renaissance. This would be particularly interesting in a US history course.

Music teachers rejoice! Here's an engaging site that explains and demonstrates music theory and performance terms in ways that will keep the attention of students from elementary through high school. This collection of Flash animations demonstrates tempo, harmonization, instrument groups, pitch, meter, and many other elements. Among all the sounds and visuals, there is also thoughtfully written text that can link the presentation to personal experience. This site requires FLASH. Get it from the TeachersFirst Toolbox page..

At first glance, the web site from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz would appear to offer only a high school curriculum. But click on the Jazz Resource Library and you'll discover a rich collection of biographies, background information, musicology, and other jazz-related information. The content includes some really in-depth analysis of different jazz musical styles. Both music and social studies teachers will find plenty of material here.

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the free lesson plans offered on this site! The lesson plans are meant to be taught in American history classes, so search and see how this site can benefit your classroom. Make sure and save this one as a favorite to allow for easy retrieval later on.

Designed to both inspire and teach, the Smithsonian's Jazz site offers several online instructional modules that do a nice job of introducing the history and structural elements of jazz. Students can learn about particular composers and performers, and how their work built on the experiences of other jazz musicians. You'll want a fast connection and the Flash player to use this one effectively.

This music introduction from the San Francisco Symphony offers students a great introduction to music and music theory. Student can learn about notation, musical instruments, and how various elements of the orchestra all fit together. There are enough starting points to this site to make it approachable for even the most uninformed music student.

The Museum of Music History offers this online exhibition about the songs and life of singer Woody Guthrie. There are lyrics, music samples, and background information on the singer's life and life during the great depression. This one would be a great adjunct to a study of either folk music or the Depression.

In the Classroom

Use this site to shed some more light on the famous singer who created one of the great patriotic songs in American history. Introduce this site on the interactive whiteboard before allowing them to explore it on their own or in groups on classroom computers. If using a follow-along or graphic organizer, teachers could tailor this lesson to be a focus on the Great Depression and how it affected different types of people. If using a graphic organizer we recommend Graphic Organizer Maker, (reviewed here)

Music draws powerful connections. This is a wonderful, wholly unlikely collection containing dozens of lesson plans that use music and popular songs as touchstones for exploring other events and disciplines. Created by teachers at workshops hosted by Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the topics range from the Reformation to literary themes, and much more. Many of these lessons require real research and serious thought. Teachers in all disciplines can find something here.

In the Classroom

Examine this site, and take advantage of the free lesson plans that are appropriate for your classroom! Students will be much more interested, and you will be surprised at how music virtually cross-bridges every subject.

Arts education is frequently one of the first casualties of tight budgets. This national site for music educators offers standards for music education as well as links to music education resources. Advocates for the importance of the arts in education will find help here.

A lesson unit that combines music and lyrics in a study of poetry. Part of the attraction: student get to help select the music, and hence the message. This lesson plan was one of the winners in a lesson plan contest sponsored by TeachersFirst. TeachersFirst editors have added technology options where appropriate.

This site from the University of Pittsburgh traces the life and songwriting career of Pittsburgh native Stephen Foster. Foster's music is seen by many as helping to define American culture during this period. This site offers interesting research material, as well as more detailed content for the advanced student.

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the free lesson plans with the Teacher Resource portion of this site. Great supplements for a unit on the Civil War, just make sure to save this site as a favorite to allow for easy retrieval later on.

Through the study of paintings, books, photography, and poetry, students will learn about the history of Black dance. With an emphasis on the evolution of Black dance from the African period through the Harlem Renaissance and beyond, this unit emphasizes research as a tool for meaningful choreography. The culminating activity is a video production that chronicles a living history through movement.

Introduce your students to the blues as a means of understanding Afro-American culture, emphasizing improvisation. Students learn by playing and singing the music, and finish by writing and singing their own piece of the blues.

Introduce your students to the blues as a means of understanding Afro-American culture, emphasizing improvisation. Students learn by playing and singing the music, and finish by writing and singing their own piece of the blues.